REVIEWS & CURRENT PROJECT
After reading any of my books, please write me a review. I would like to have your input,
negative or positive, I can learn from either. Please email me and say if it's all right for me to
use your review to promote my books.
negative or positive, I can learn from either. Please email me and say if it's all right for me to
use your review to promote my books.
Current Projects
Chapter One
Jury sequestered in a saloon?
The tinkling tune on the player piano ended, a quiet moment. . . . . in the saloon, the
attention of the men standing at the bar turned to the bat-wing entrance, and the
clopping rhythm of boot-heels from the wood walk as Spencer Vandenburg, Sr.,
appeared, the brightness of the sunlight glowed from behind him, outlining a radiant
halo around his head and ten-gallon hat, enhancing the vibrant power of his presence,
dazzling them--in a threatening move he swiftly stepped thru the saloon's batwing doors,
projecting a supernatural presence to the men in the dimly lit saloon.
His dominate move seized, overpowered, held them spellbound as as Spencer's .44's
flashed to his hands, blazing away at the surprised, horrified jurymen.
Spencer, immediately holstered his Colts, moving away from the cloud of black powder
smoke, from the .44's, he quickly stepped to the side of the swinging doors as the
jurymen scrambled frantically through the gun-smoke clouded entrance where Spencer
had come in only seconds ago, each trying to beat the others thru the doors to the
outside. They were excited, confused, disoriented, and scared; they didn't notice none of
them had been shot--they ran not thinking, not realizing the bullets were blanks.
During the melee, Jeff Dunning had tripped, fell to the floor and been trampled by the
fleeing jurymen, the bar-keep helped him up. They were silent a few moments, listening
to the outside commotion of the fleeing jurors, yelling, saddling up, and the hooves of the
horses hitting the earth as they left town.
Jeff looked hard at Spencer, "why the Hell you shootin at us?"
"I was trying to make a point to y'all about the prosecution saying my client, Avery
Brown murdered John Wright. I say it was self defense, and Avery was just faster than
John Wright."
The bar-keep stared seriously at Spencer. "That's the worst or best display of jury
tampering I have ever seen or heard. Spencer, shouldn't you keep your grand-standing
theatrics in the court-room?" He wiped the bar.
Jim Carruth didn't have to leave his native Mississippi to find rich fodder for his novel, "The Gatlan Kids." Jim, like William
Faulkner creates a Mississippi town, he calls Gatlan, located in fictional Tombigbee County as the setting, he builds
compelling characters, and a true-to-life plot that borrows from his own life and observations.
Vickie Newman, Columbus Dispatch, Columbus, Mississippi
Jim weaves a wild story in "The Gatlan Kids," one that many local readers will find interesting because they will
recognize many of the places and possibly some of the character's even though the names have been fictionalized. The
plotting is good and all the subplots he weaves into the storyline, is. . .well, rather interesting. For the most part, it's a
page turner and hard to put down.
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Tupelo, Mississippi
Jim Carruth, like many other writers from Southern states, especially Mississippi, writes about poverty and dysfunctional
families. His novel, "The Gatlan Kids," deals with broken families and sometimes unlikely relationships. He draws from
his friends, and in his own personal experiences while growing up, to create a story of life's complexity.
Chris Wilson, Amory Advertiser. Amory, Mississippi
Jim Carruth's novel, "The Gatlan Kids," tells the complex story of what happens in the life of a small town, ten year old boy
who loses his father in a railroad accident. His mother marries a psychotic preacher who beats the boy, because he can't
control him. "There are many sub-plots in this work of fiction drawn from Jim's personal experience while growing up in a
small town in Mississippi.
Aberdeen Examiner, Aberdeen, Mississippi
The first night, after receiving, "The Gatlan Kids," I tore myself away after reading a few pages. The second
night, I was so caught up in the story, I couldn't quit reading until I finished it. I found the book to be well written
and suspenseful. The author did a great job, I'm looking forward to reading, "The Last Debit Man."
Margaret West
night, I was so caught up in the story, I couldn't quit reading until I finished it. I found the book to be well written
and suspenseful. The author did a great job, I'm looking forward to reading, "The Last Debit Man."
Margaret West
I grew up with Jim in the same area and time-frame, he writes about Mississippi and things he is familiar with. I just
finished "Rosa's Revenge," good writing, I enjoyed it very much. Best of everything to you. Brooks Prothro
finished "Rosa's Revenge," good writing, I enjoyed it very much. Best of everything to you. Brooks Prothro
Jim, I've liked all your books, but Frisco Blues was the best yet. That character, Betty Jo Carville out-does 'em all, she is
terribly mean but entertaining. I'm reading "Rosa's Revenge," now and looking forward to finishing it Frances Potts
terribly mean but entertaining. I'm reading "Rosa's Revenge," now and looking forward to finishing it Frances Potts
I started reading "Rosa's Revenge," and couldn't put it down until I had finished Chapter 6, then it was so late at night I
had to put it down. This book is captivating and full of unexpected happenings. On page 74, Noah awakes with his body
aching all over with the sick smell of dried blood in his nostrils, I know from experience that is an accurate description,
that is some great writing! I think I will always remember this scene. This book gives me the same feeling of excitement
when I remember back in high school, reading Jack London's, "Call of the Wild," " White Fang," Mark Twain's
"Huckleberry Finn," and some of Poe.
had to put it down. This book is captivating and full of unexpected happenings. On page 74, Noah awakes with his body
aching all over with the sick smell of dried blood in his nostrils, I know from experience that is an accurate description,
that is some great writing! I think I will always remember this scene. This book gives me the same feeling of excitement
when I remember back in high school, reading Jack London's, "Call of the Wild," " White Fang," Mark Twain's
"Huckleberry Finn," and some of Poe.
Posted 03/01/09: After reading "Rosa's Revenge," I re-read the first two sentences, "Mary was confused, everyone on
Twin Oaks seemed to be confused." Master Thomas said, "the war is over!" I then re-read the last sentence of the book,
"during the years from 1983-1987, George Wallace's final term as Governor of Alabama, a great number of Blacks were
appointed to government positions." Just reading those three sentences, show how far people have come. We now
have President O'Bama, a very special person for President. This novel stresses that racism is a learned thing, and it is
exactly right. I learned it from the kids I hung around with and know they learned it from their parents. When JFK was
assassinated, I said to my parents, "I hope it was a black man who killed him." My Mom made me feel very small when
she told me how wrong it was to say such a thing. My Dad overheard me and let me know that was one of the reasons
we fought the Nazis, so they couldn't rule America, the world and consider all of us unequal to them. "Rosa's Revenge,"
is packed with fiction, fact, good luck, bad luck, heartache, laughter and cunning, Lee and Sherrie were the most
cunning, and got away with their shenanigans scot--free. This novel has it all.
Randy Potts, Mississippi
Twin Oaks seemed to be confused." Master Thomas said, "the war is over!" I then re-read the last sentence of the book,
"during the years from 1983-1987, George Wallace's final term as Governor of Alabama, a great number of Blacks were
appointed to government positions." Just reading those three sentences, show how far people have come. We now
have President O'Bama, a very special person for President. This novel stresses that racism is a learned thing, and it is
exactly right. I learned it from the kids I hung around with and know they learned it from their parents. When JFK was
assassinated, I said to my parents, "I hope it was a black man who killed him." My Mom made me feel very small when
she told me how wrong it was to say such a thing. My Dad overheard me and let me know that was one of the reasons
we fought the Nazis, so they couldn't rule America, the world and consider all of us unequal to them. "Rosa's Revenge,"
is packed with fiction, fact, good luck, bad luck, heartache, laughter and cunning, Lee and Sherrie were the most
cunning, and got away with their shenanigans scot--free. This novel has it all.
Randy Potts, Mississippi
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
ONE
Marie watched the Black girl, Keesha place her bag lunch and a golden-delicious apple
next to it on the shelf with her fourth grade classmate's lunches. Marie salivated, eyeing
the apple, she thought, I can taste it, I gotta have it--it's so big and yellow.
It was 09:00, recess time, the bell rang dismissing the class. The teacher's voice trailed
off weakly as she called out, "no running in the hallway." The group buzz of loud-talk
covered and drowned out her frail warning as kids rushed out of the classroom door down
the hallway, eager to get outside, except for Lisa and Keesha.
"Slow down Keesha, I believe Marie Tyler is going to steal your apple."
"Girl, why you think that?"
"Cause I know the Bitch is a thief."
Marie lingered, cagily watching the teacher out of her peripheral view. As the teacher
wrote on the blackboard her back was turned to Marie. Marie keeping her eyes on the
teacher, warily stepped to the shelf snatched the big yellow apple--then rushed out the
door.
She slowed her walk and casually strolled out to the campus chomping, chewing,
obviously enjoying the delicious apple, carefully watching, looking back to see that
Keesha and her friend didn't see her. This part of the playground seemed to be deserted
by the other kids who were playing volley ball.
Keesha and Lisa watched Marie from behind a large sheet of plywood that had been left
standing against the playground swings. Marie was completely unaware.
"We gonna catch that white girl, Marie Tyler, and kick her butt, I knew she was gonna
take your apple cause she kept eyeing it during class, look at her sittin there eatin yo
apple, like she a innocent l'il Bitch," Lisa said.
Keesha looked at her, "girl how we going to catch her and make the teacher believe the
apple is mine?"
"Simple, I saw it in the movies, Paul Newman, "The Sting," we gonna put a sting on her
white ass, bring another apple tomorrow and put it beside yo lunch."
"Ooookkkkkk," Keesha said, looking doubtfully at Lisa.
Next days class the recess bell rang and the kids stampeded from the room into the
hallway, Lisa stepped to the side quickly grabbing Keesha pulling her by the hand from
the group, "now we gonna watch and when she starts to grab the apple we gonna run back
in and tell the teacher so she will catch her in the act. The kids were still pushing thru
the door as they tried to stretch their necks to see Marie take the apple, they both stood
against the wall in the hallway next to the door. The herd of kids moved on down the
hallway.
"You so smart," Keesha whispered.
Lisa and Keesha waited for the kids to clear the door but they were pushing, shoving and
didn't see Marie when she came thru. They had expected her to be at the end of the
group, she wasn't there she had already come thru the door.
"Look Keesha, down the hall we missed her there's the Bitch, she done grabbed yo apple
and gone. We gonna get some justice if we hafta kick her butt ourselves.'
"You so right Lisa, probably take both of us, that butt's bigger'n both ours."
"Girl--you a trip," they playfully slapped each other on the shoulder, both giggled.
Marie looked directly at them, smiled arrogantly, stuck out her tongue at them, then bit a
large chunk out of the crispy juicy apple. She ambled leisurely, then skipped down the
hallway, looking back taunting them, slowly eating the apple.
Lisa looked fiercely at Keesha. "Of all the damn gall, that big ass bitch, I'll beat'er to
death."
"You so right, girl--let's get'er."
Marie broke into a run, but the girls caught up and Keesha grabbed her arm, and Lisa put
a haymaker slap so hard on her right jaw, the partly eaten apple flew from her mouth and
rolled wobbly down the hallway. Marie opened her wide mouth with an ear-piercing
scream like she'd been branded with a hot iron. Lisa slapped her again--right in the
mouth--she screamed louder. Keesha grabbed her arm and they moved in a circle as she
hit her with a series of swift precision right foot hard kicks, striking Marie's ass like
John Henry's hammer driving steel. She screamed again and again.
Three shocked teachers from adjoining rooms, came running down the hallway and
started trying to pull the girls off Marie.
Marie watched the Black girl, Keesha place her bag lunch and a golden-delicious apple
next to it on the shelf with her fourth grade classmate's lunches. Marie salivated, eyeing
the apple, she thought, I can taste it, I gotta have it--it's so big and yellow.
It was 09:00, recess time, the bell rang dismissing the class. The teacher's voice trailed
off weakly as she called out, "no running in the hallway." The group buzz of loud-talk
covered and drowned out her frail warning as kids rushed out of the classroom door down
the hallway, eager to get outside, except for Lisa and Keesha.
"Slow down Keesha, I believe Marie Tyler is going to steal your apple."
"Girl, why you think that?"
"Cause I know the Bitch is a thief."
Marie lingered, cagily watching the teacher out of her peripheral view. As the teacher
wrote on the blackboard her back was turned to Marie. Marie keeping her eyes on the
teacher, warily stepped to the shelf snatched the big yellow apple--then rushed out the
door.
She slowed her walk and casually strolled out to the campus chomping, chewing,
obviously enjoying the delicious apple, carefully watching, looking back to see that
Keesha and her friend didn't see her. This part of the playground seemed to be deserted
by the other kids who were playing volley ball.
Keesha and Lisa watched Marie from behind a large sheet of plywood that had been left
standing against the playground swings. Marie was completely unaware.
"We gonna catch that white girl, Marie Tyler, and kick her butt, I knew she was gonna
take your apple cause she kept eyeing it during class, look at her sittin there eatin yo
apple, like she a innocent l'il Bitch," Lisa said.
Keesha looked at her, "girl how we going to catch her and make the teacher believe the
apple is mine?"
"Simple, I saw it in the movies, Paul Newman, "The Sting," we gonna put a sting on her
white ass, bring another apple tomorrow and put it beside yo lunch."
"Ooookkkkkk," Keesha said, looking doubtfully at Lisa.
Next days class the recess bell rang and the kids stampeded from the room into the
hallway, Lisa stepped to the side quickly grabbing Keesha pulling her by the hand from
the group, "now we gonna watch and when she starts to grab the apple we gonna run back
in and tell the teacher so she will catch her in the act. The kids were still pushing thru
the door as they tried to stretch their necks to see Marie take the apple, they both stood
against the wall in the hallway next to the door. The herd of kids moved on down the
hallway.
"You so smart," Keesha whispered.
Lisa and Keesha waited for the kids to clear the door but they were pushing, shoving and
didn't see Marie when she came thru. They had expected her to be at the end of the
group, she wasn't there she had already come thru the door.
"Look Keesha, down the hall we missed her there's the Bitch, she done grabbed yo apple
and gone. We gonna get some justice if we hafta kick her butt ourselves.'
"You so right Lisa, probably take both of us, that butt's bigger'n both ours."
"Girl--you a trip," they playfully slapped each other on the shoulder, both giggled.
Marie looked directly at them, smiled arrogantly, stuck out her tongue at them, then bit a
large chunk out of the crispy juicy apple. She ambled leisurely, then skipped down the
hallway, looking back taunting them, slowly eating the apple.
Lisa looked fiercely at Keesha. "Of all the damn gall, that big ass bitch, I'll beat'er to
death."
"You so right, girl--let's get'er."
Marie broke into a run, but the girls caught up and Keesha grabbed her arm, and Lisa put
a haymaker slap so hard on her right jaw, the partly eaten apple flew from her mouth and
rolled wobbly down the hallway. Marie opened her wide mouth with an ear-piercing
scream like she'd been branded with a hot iron. Lisa slapped her again--right in the
mouth--she screamed louder. Keesha grabbed her arm and they moved in a circle as she
hit her with a series of swift precision right foot hard kicks, striking Marie's ass like
John Henry's hammer driving steel. She screamed again and again.
Three shocked teachers from adjoining rooms, came running down the hallway and
started trying to pull the girls off Marie.
This is a work of fiction, inspired by Jack Trotter, husband of my 1st
cousin, Nora Lee Trotter. I don't claim any of these events actually
happened, but I have tried to capture the special essence of Jack Trotter's
life. He had a special charisma about him that people noticed when
meeting him. I only knew him when I was a teenager, but I have
learned about him through researching some of the cases he was
involved in and I've learned much about his personal life through family
members and friends. From studying the time in office of former sheriff's
of Walker County, Alabama, I believe Jack held the record length of
time any sheriff has served up until 1988.
cousin, Nora Lee Trotter. I don't claim any of these events actually
happened, but I have tried to capture the special essence of Jack Trotter's
life. He had a special charisma about him that people noticed when
meeting him. I only knew him when I was a teenager, but I have
learned about him through researching some of the cases he was
involved in and I've learned much about his personal life through family
members and friends. From studying the time in office of former sheriff's
of Walker County, Alabama, I believe Jack held the record length of
time any sheriff has served up until 1988.
